South Sudan official denies US$280m stolen from Kiir’s office

A senior official in the office of President Salva Kiir denied ‘rumours’ of the theft of astronomical sums of money, describing it as a ‘political machination’.

The presidential advisor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was reacting to rumours indicating that up to US$280 million had been stolen from the Office of the President on Sunday. He said he had verified the reports and found them inaccurate.

“When I went to the main office where the incident had allegedly taken place, I did not find anything to confirm the allegation. So it is not true and I must repeat it is not,” the presidential adviser said, adding: “The intention of the people circulating is to tarnish the image of the president.

However, on Saturday evening a member of the presidential guard told Sudan Tribune the soldiers had been told that US$280 million had gone missing from the safe in the main office and that they would all be investigated.

“They showed us a safe which has been broken but I am not sure whether any of my colleagues has done that. We had been at the gate from around 8pm on Saturday,” the presidential guard said on Sunday.

The spokesperson of the president was not reachable for comment. Also, officials at the ministry of finance declined to comment on the matter, saying they have no information.

If confirmed, it will be the third incident to occur in the highest office of the country in less than two years after top presidential aides were sentenced to life in prison over theft and forgery using the President’s name.